Multiplayer games idea

[Tris]

I've thought of a solution to my trouble with possibly having to get multiple copies if I want to play multiplayer with my friends.

Would it be possible to make it possible (haha - and English is my first language) to spawn several "multiplayer only" copies of Dominions 2 from the same CD. These would be unable to host, and could only submit games to the host running the full Version installed from the same CD that they were.

This way I could get my (less enthusiastic) friends playing Dominions 2 with me, but they couldn't play Single player or even multi with anyone else without paying for it.

I've read about the "host opens up turn file briefly" fix, but not only is that awkward, it feels a bit like theft.

Let me know what you think.

[Wendigo]

Your friends can play 6 different nations in MP games using the demo, or play the full game multiplayer with just one copy using hotseat.

These are both pretty decent options to 'try' the game before purchase, without giving the whole lot for free...programers need to eat also.

It's not like we are talking about purchasing a car anyway, the game is damn cheap entertainment when you take into account the amount of enjoyment (hours of gameplay) it gives.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Tris:
Would it be possible to make it possible (haha - and English is my first language) to spawn several "multiplayer only" copies of Dominions 2 from the same CD. These would be unable to host, and could only submit games to the host running the full Version installed from the same CD that they were.

Thats not a bad idea but it might have to be worked on abit more. I understand that you are trying to avoid feeling like a theif and cheating (thank you for that!) but to test an idea like this you have to think like a thief.

If I can create a host copy of the game which will allow players from a specific CD key, and I can create client copies of the game which can play, then all I have to do is upload the host and the client to a warez site.

Im hoping something gets figured out which will allow people to test play Dom abit more but I know its not going to happen if it even looks like it might lose more sales than it generates.

You might try downloading the old Dom1 demo which limited research and dropped a couple units but it did allow lan play and no turns limit (you could finish a game)

[Tris]

Grrr.

Perhaps they could make a special copy for me, where you could do that, as long as I promised to be good?

[Tris]

Sorry Wendigo - missed out your post.

I know the game is cheap entertainment. I am going to buy it for SP alone. But the main reason for me to buy it would be MP with my friends. Some of them would probably only play it MP vs me, and wouldn't regard it as cheap (in fact some couldn't afford it). So for me to play MP vs my friends I would need to buy multiple copies - one per "poor" friend. This rapidly takes it out of "cheap" and right into "scary".

Besides, from playing the demo it isn't cheap at all. I can't imagine the damage I'm doing to my health with all these late nights, my career with all this daydreaming about strategies, my lovelife with all this "Not tonight dear, I've got a really scary war with Ermor coming up" and so on....

In 5 years time people will be sueing Illwinter for damages :-D

[Wendigo]

You can also combine in a MP game full game copies with demo copies, so you can play your fav nation while limiting your buddies to the demo restrictions until they 'shell out' the money.

[Tris]

That could be really useful.... It would be a shame the game would have to end at turn 40, but hopefully I could get them all addicted...

Plus it would be SUCH a shame that they'd only get lvl 4 spells to face my lvl 9.

Would I have to use a non-patched full Version to be compatable with their demo Versions?

[johan osterman]

You have to use Version 2.08 to be compatible with the demo (demo is ver. 2.08 too).